SOUTH AFRICA – a Pocket Memento - Perfect for presentation gifts and curio shops - Just right for 2010 visitors
SOUTH AFRICA – a Pocket Memento

I’ve only recently become aware of HPH Publishing, which specialises in the creation of books and images of particular interest to the tourism industry.

After working with various publishing companies with mixed success, the photographers behind HPH decided to go it alone because they wanted to have more control over the way their photographs appeared.

“By having hands-on control throughout the publishing process, they can ensure their pictures are used to best advantage and the end product is of an exceptionally high standard and quality,” says their web site.

Now look, I take a lot of photos (in fact, I’ve recently begun a 365 Project, an old training trick where you publish your photo of the day every day for a year) - but even so, very few of them are worth anything. Good images take a lot of skill to produce. So when I come across quality of the kind you see in ‘South Africa - a pocket memento,’ I can’t help getting excited (and, perhaps, maybe, yes, ok, even a tad envious).

This is a well thought-out book, and it’s one of the best mementos I think I’ve ever seen. Hell, I’d want one if I were a visitor.

It sums up the country as the tourist sees it, and offers a beautiful, evocative picture gallery in just seven chapters - an introduction to the provinces; an overview of the cities; our cultural heritage; our  wildlife; our attractions (like wildlife safaris, routes and meanders, events, and adventures); our food; and our national pride (a short section on our anthem and national symbols).

This is an ideal work, and should be on the shelves of every curio shop, gift shop, and book shop around the country. It’s small enough to fit into a handbag (116 x 161 mm); light enough to slip into your luggage; affordable but of exceptional quality (hard cover, matt laminated and UV varnished); and it’s filled with interesting information and 176 full-colour images (most spreads have a full page picture on the right, with well written and honest information on the left. Schematic maps place each section in its Province).

What sets HPH apart, though, is the fact that they’re happy to print their books under your cover - so if, for example, you’re going to be hosting an important conference or other event, and you’re looking for a corporate gift that your clients really will treasure (or even if you want to produce a book wrapped specifically for your curio shops), they’ll design and produce your books for you - with your brand as prominent as you want on the cover (there’s more information on this on their web site).

The Pocket Memento (ISBN 978-0-620-43699-1) retails for R125.00 including VAT, and HPH offers significant discounts on bulk orders.

To order it, or for more information about HPH Publishing, contact Ingrid van den Berg info@hphpublishing.co.za